This is a hybrid meeting;
- Join us in person at Knox Presbyterian Church (Lisgar & Elgin) in Geneva Hall. Please use the Garden Entrance on Elgin Street. Limited free street parking is available on Saturdays, and the City Hall Parking Garage is available for $2.00.
- Join online by registering here
Annual General Meeting / 9 a.m. EDT
This meeting will include:
- Review of the Annual Report, with inputs from all directors about 2022 activities
- Acceptance of the 2022 Financial Statements
- Election of new Board members
- Announcement of the following awards: Hall of Fame, Best Talk (Feature Talk and Eduction Talk) by a Member and Best Anglo-Celtic Roots article by a Member
Details and documents to review before the meeting are available on the 2023 Annual General Meeting page in About Us
Great Moments in Genealogy / 10 a.m. EDT
Introducing the Cripwells
This rare and unusual surname has its origins in southern Nottinghamshire and dates back to the mid-16th century. This is as far back as Church of England Records go. This presentation traces the descendants from the earliest Cripwells to the presenter. A second portion covers the spread of this surname throughout England and overseas.
Paul Cripwell was born in England in 1952 and emigrated with his family in 1953, and has lived in Ottawa ever since. His closest family in England includes only two cousins, with whom he keeps in touch. He retired in 2018 from NavCanada and began his family history research. This retirement project has proved to be everything he needs to keep him busy. It includes complex problem-solving and a truly never-ending project! Paul has used his data analytics skills to tease tidbits of knowledge from the many sources available.
Message from the Grave: Desperately Seeking Charity Gerow
Charity Gero was Jane’s 6th great-aunt,and her biggest brick wall. Jane will outline the highlights of her search.
Jane Simpson has been researching her Revolutionary ancestors in Westchester County, New York for almost a decade. Great Aunt Charity has been most elusive. Jane was born in Belleville, Ontario and is editor of the Searchlight Newsletter for the Quinte Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society. She is a retired Registered Nurse, living in Kanata and is a member of BIFHSGO, participating in the British Colonial American SIG. Her book Shades of Allegiance: The Experiences of the Gerow Family of PEC in the American Revolution will be printed soon and Soldier, Settler, Sinner: The Remarkable Journey of Captain Charles MacDonald is available in local bookstores.
A Family Mystery Solved through Research and DNA
When Susan’s grandfather died in 1915, her grandmother left her two young daughters with a Toronto family, returning to England with her son, Susan's father. What became of these girls? What kind of a life did they have? Susan’s father never knew and her grandmother wouldn’t talk about it. A combination of research and DNA finally solved the family mystery.
Susan Smart is a long-time genealogist and volunteer with the Ontario Genealogical Society. She headed up a seven-year project to index the Upper Canada Land Books and was Chair of the Publishing Division for a year. She is also a former Chair of the York Region Branch of OGS and author of the book, A Better Place: Death and Burial in Nineteenth-Century Ontario. New to Ottawa and new to BIFHSGO, Susan is looking forward to more genealogical adventures.
Finding Archy Ban Egypt
While researching her 4th great-grandfather, Archibald Gillies, Carol learned that he had an unusual nickname. This presentation is about several great moments she experienced while looking for Archy Ban Egypt.
Carol Annett is retired and has been staying close to home since the pandemic. She happily fills the time with online genealogy research and virtual BIFHSGO and writing group meetings.
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Target audience: beginner to intermediate